[RE-wrenches] Grounding - Exposed Metal Part

[Mark Frye]

A bare metal plate is connected to a conduit which serves as an 
equipment ground. The plate is grounded and needs to be grounded because 
it could become energized both by being contact with the conduit which 
could become energized and also by coming into contact with the current 
carrying conductors themselves.

A second bare metal plate touches the first plate but could not come 
into contact with the current carrying conductors.

True or false, the second plate does not have to be grounded (bonded to 
the first plate) because the first plate is already grounded and 
therefore could not cause the second plate to become energized?

Any Code references to support your opinion?

P.S. I believe: "false", the second plate must be bonded to the first 
plate because it may become energized by the first plate regardless of 
whether or not the first plate is actually grounded, but I can't find 
references in the Code to support this.

Mark Frye
Berkeley Solar Electric Systems